Oxygen is a new gate to the city of Paris located in La Defénse, Europe’s biggest business district. Designed by Studio Malka Architecture, it straddles the famous ‘royal axis’ that was conceived in the 16th century to form a perspective between the historic monuments of Paris. This East-West perspective crosses the Louvre, Les Tuileries Garden, La Place de la Concorde, L’Avenue des Champs Elysees, L’Arc de Triomphe and stretches out until La Defénse.
Oxygen’s buildings are the only constructions of the 16th century that are built on this historical axis. This is why Studio Malka proposed to create a public space with a landscaped garden within this exceptional Parisian panorama, and create a dialogue with history. The original site was delivered in 1990 for the outdoor concert and light show event of pioneer artist Jean-Michel Jarre, after which the site gradually felt into disuse by a lack of adequate programming. In fact, the name – Oxygen – is a tribute to the musician’s visionary electronic album.
The complex is built both below and above the surface of the slab of La Défense, according to Stéphane Malka of Studio Malka. This reactivation of a neglected urban space and a new architectural project covers a total area of 22,000 square feet. The outdoor and indoor mall integrates a hanging garden in the forecourt, a restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Michel Rostang and a modular bar-club. On the lower level, directly connected to various facilities, the equipment offers a generous 180-degree landscaped balcony, four open and covered terraces, a café, a coworking space and three restaurants.
According to Malka, in order to retain the historic Parisian perspective, the complex is planned as two connected wings, allowing for a space in the middle to see the Grande Arche of La Défense. The buildings were prefabricated to avoid the difficultly in accessing the site. The external facade is characterized by slats that clad the structure. Made from recycled bamboo strips, this ecologically responsible double skin creates a kinetic effect from the expressway, the metro or the forecourt, while the interior is either visible or disappears from view, depending on the perspective.
Oxygen stands out in contrast to the skyscrapers of La Défense, offering a great diversity of plants thanks to multiple terraces and a green roof, which will bring an element of nature to the business district. Standing only six meters tall, the project will allow people to reconnect with a more human scale amidst the giant towers all around. In addition, its dark and mysterious wooden façade provides a contrast to the glass and clear steel of the skyscrapers of La Défense.
